Christine Penyak, 29, entered the contest on behalf of the Williams Township center, seeking to replace an old washing machine that had been working poorly and had to be constantly filled by hand.

"It's important to keep the animals clean and healthy so they're ready for adoptions," said Penyak, a Wind Gap resident who has volunteered at the Center since 2008, fostering 75 cats and kittens since that time.

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare wins new washer and dryerThe Center for Animal Health and Welfare won a new washing machine through Allentown Applianceâs recent âUpdate Whatâs Outdatedâ social media contest for followers of the company's Facebook page. In addition to the washer, there was a surprise additional donation of a Maytag dryer. Christine Penyak, a volunteer at The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, entered the contest on behalf of the shelter in hopes of replacing a failing washing machine. The presentation occurred April 9, 2014, at the center in Williams Township.

On her way into the center one day, Penyak heard a radio commercial for a contest by Allentown Appliance, offering the chance for a new washing machine to anybody who submitted a picture of their old one on Facebook.

Penyak's entry for the center generated 360 votes, by far the highest in the contest. Allentown Appliance spokeswoman Natalie Rutman said the second-highest amount of votes was about 10.

"We thought it was a worthy cause and also very generous of Christine to put the shelter before herself," said Joseph Schaefer, owner of the appliance store at 1824 W. Allen St.

The center uses four washing machines and four dryers to clean products that are used to clean the animals, such as towels and blankets. The dogs' and cats' beddings are cleaned every day to prevent disease.

"A washer isn't necessarily something you think of as a need in the same way as dog treats or cat food, but it's a very important part of what goes on," Penyak said.

Although Allentown Appliance offered only a washing machine, Schaefer also provided a free dryer, as well as a $300 gift certificate for Penyak.

Penyak said the animal shelter has never had a new washer and dryer. Most of their machines are old ones given to them by donors after they get new machines themselves.

Rutman also said the washer and dryer are high-efficiency machines, which will save the center money on electricity, as well as hundreds of gallons of water.